Junior A hockey: 'Men deal d-man

Last week, the Langley Rivermen dealt promising defenceman Bo Pellah to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in a three-player swap.

In exchange for the 17-year-old Pellah, the 'Men received 17-year-old forward Evan Anderson and 18-year-old defencemen Turner Popoff.

Anderson, a North Vancouver product who is in his rookie year in the B.C. Hockey League, had four goals and 10 assists in his 18 games as a Bulldog.

His early efforts this season were rewarded with a scholarship to UMass-Lowell starting in 2014/2015.

Popoff, a Richmond native, put up one goal and two assists in 17 games this season with the 'Dogs prior to the trade.

"It is obviously tough moving a player as talented as Bo Pellah and it was not an easy thing to do," Rivermen head coach/general manager Bobby Henderson said. "He has been a good teammate here in Langley and has been a pleasure to watch, but at the end of the day we feel that this is a move that will help make our team more competitive."

Moving forward, Anderson impressed Henderson when seeing him play against the Rivermen this season and the head coach feels the rookie has a bright future ahead.

"There is plenty to like about Evan. Right off the bat he has great speed and is a very talented player with good stick skills, good vision, and moves the puck well," Henderson said. "We feel he will address offensive needs for us not only this season, but for years to come."

Popoff brings more experience to the Rivermen blueline as he has played in 58 career games registering four goals and seven assists to go along with 119 penalty minutes.

"Turner is the type of player that isn't the glamorous type by any means, but at the same time he is a guy that helps you win," Henderson said."He is everything that you look for in a defenseman. He is steady back there and moves the puck well, but the thing we like most about him is his compete level. We watched him enough in the past two years either in person or on film and feel his is just a great overall defenseman."

As for Pellah, he had one goal and 12 assists in 13 games with the Rivermen.

In his 71 games in a Rivermen uniform he registered a four goals and 34 assists for 38 points to go along with 63 penalty minutes. Pellah locked up a scholarship to Penn State.

"I am sure the fans in Langley are going to be sad to see Bo go as he was an exciting player to watch," Henderson said. "I hope the fans in Alberni Valley get out and take advantage of the opportunity to see a player like him. He is a kind of guy that is few and far between in this league and we believe the sky is the limit with his potential. We feel this trade is good for both organizations and I hope it works out the best for everybody."